Ascendant

for Symphonic Band

Ascendant is an exciting work for concert band scored in a cinematic style. The piece is marked by soaring melodies and rich textures that truly showcase the power of a concert band.

Program Notes

Ascendant was commissioned by the Bowling Green State University Band Alumni Society to honor Dr. Carol Hayward at the time of her retirement from teaching. Dr. Hayward is one of the most influential people in my life. She has been a wonderful teacher and mentor, a supporter of my music for my whole career, and most importantly my friend.

Dr. Hayward was my high school band and orchestra director and one of the first people who helped to promote my early compositions. She introduced me to the some of the great works for concert band and fostered my passion for film music. It was because of her influence that I decided to study music composition at Capital University, her Alma Mater. After Capital University, I was very fortunate to study with her again, as she became the band director at Bowling Green State University where I earned my Master of Music in Composition. In 2006 Dr. Hayward and her Concert Band premiered my thesis work, The Glass Prison.

I could not have been more delighted and honored when I received the invitation to compose a work for Dr. Hayward and celebrate her many years of teaching. Knowing her love of film music and exiting concert works I set out to write an uplifting piece marked with powerful and memorable melodies. Ascendant is exhilarating work meant to inspire listeners to want to flourish, prosper and to rise. Dr. Hayward has always been an inspirational person so I wanted to capture that feeling in this work.

-N.D.T.

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2021
Number of Players: Standard
Duration: 5:00

Listen to Recordings

Sample PDF

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
E-flat Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1
B-flat Trumpet 2
B-flat Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium 1
Euphonium 2
B-flat Baritone T.C. 1
B-flat Baritone T.C. 2
Tuba
Double Bass
Piano
Harp

Timpani (4 drums)
Percussion 1: Crotales [2-oct.], Bells
Percussion 2: Vibraphone, Marimba [4.5-oct.], Chimes
Percussion 3: Bell Tree, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals
Percussion 4 [2 players]: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Tam-Tam, Mark Tree